10/17 May 2014, Vol 292, No 7809/10
Editorial
Pharmaceutical science, The Journal and you
Pharmacy is a scientific profession. That is the solid reminder in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s report “New medicines, better medicines, better use of medicines”, published this week. The guide describes the spectrum of basic, applied and social sciences involved in bringing medicines to patients and ensuring their safe and effective use.
Research briefing
News
NICE warns CCGs about ignoring its advice
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has warned clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) that they can only legally ignore its guidance if they have a clear clinical reason.
MPs to scrutinise Pfizer’s bid for AstraZeneca
Lives can be saved if complacency over asthma ends, says report
High-fibre diet after heart attack may improve survival, study finds
Safety of isotretinoin to be reviewed by MHRA
Mixed progress in commissioning of pharmacy services since England’s NHS reforms
Palliative care pharmacist defends Liverpool Care Pathway for dying patients
New control-of-entry arrangements in Scotland likely by the summer
New chronic pain centre to be set up in Scotland
Homecare medicines services can be delivered in standardised way with new resource
Superdrug opens first "wellbeing pharmacy" in line with new focus on healthcare
New system for appraising medicines for rare diseases to be developed in Wales
CQC recognises good pharmacy leadership in recent inspection report
Public Health England tells pharmacists to act as gatekeepers of antibiotic use
WHO sounds alarm over “devastating” spectre of global antimicrobial resistance
Adverse drug reaction reporting across Europe exceeded one million last year
NICE wants companies to alert it to possible candidates for the early access to medicines scheme
Feature
Make asthma SIMPLE for your patientsSubscription
This week saw the publication of the first national study of asthma deaths in the UK. Its findings provide some powerful statements for pharmacy. Anna Murphy explains.
Comment
Embrace the scientific research that underpins the practice of pharmacySubscription
The RPS’s latest report describes what pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists can do to address some of the challenges of getting new medicines to patients
CAREER
Clinical research: see it, do it, lead itSubscription
Pavitar Gandham and colleagues at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust explain what it is like to be some of the first pharmacists to become NIHR trainee research fellows